Rafa Benitez doubtful over future at Liverpool after nightmare season

Liverpool’s dismal season petered out with a tame goalless draw at Hull and manager
Rafael Benitez admitting he has doubts over his future at Anfield.

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard sums up a horrific season

The Spaniard has had his first meeting with new chairman Â­ Martin Broughton â brought in by co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to oversee the sale of the club â and another is scheduled for early this week.

While a number of matters were discussed, the pair have yet to agree on what is required to take the club forward and Benitez has left the door open to a departure if he feels things are not progressing as he demands.He also insists he hopes to keep star players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for next season.

Benitez still has four years of his contract remaining and said: âI expect to see the chairman and keep talking with him. I showed my commitment for years. It would never be easy to leave this club. Every day you can read something different.

âI wanted to stay and I would like to stay if everything is fine.

âAnd if I stay I am not thinking about selling Gerrard and Torres â just in case âsenior sourcesâ say different things.â The fact Benitez made a point of saying âif I stayâ highlighted he is still not prepared to publicly commit his long-term future to the club until he is confident he has the backing â and money â he needs to improve Liverpoolâs fortunes.

At the final whistle yesterday Gerrard battled his way through Hull fans to salute the Redsâ travelling supporters.

But whether that is a last Â­goodbye for himself and Torres remains to be seen. Benitez said: âThat is a question for them.â

The draw saw Liverpool end the season in seventh â their worst league Â­finish since 1999.

Both Gerrard and Alberto ­Aquilani struck the woodwork in a largely forgettable game at the KC Stadium.